NCJ Number
219109
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 76 Issue: 6 Dated: June 2007 Pages: 9-20
Date Published
June 2007
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This article describes an eight-phase structured interviewing process that is adaptable to many encounters between the police and citizens.
Abstract
The preparation phase involves framing the purpose of the interview, being familiar with all legal elements of the crime at issue and the legal requirements for the interview, providing for the safety of the interviewee and the interviewer, and deciding on the best strategy for the interview. This is followed by the introduction phase. In this phase the interviewer should identify himself/herself and his/her agency. The interviewee should then be told of the purpose or nature of the interview. The rapport phase involves identifying the feelings the interviewee is likely to have in the context of the interview and responding with empathy and understanding to the interviewee's concerns. The questioning phase involves composing properly formatted, phrased, and sequenced questions, which will elicit more accurate and comprehensive information than randomly sequenced and poorly phrased questions. The questioning phase should begin with an open-ended question that prompts a narrative response rather than a yes or no response or a short answer. The interviewer should then seek clarification and detail regarding the narrative through close-ended questions, which typically involve shorter answers that address specific information. The verification phase of the interview ensures the accuracy of the interviewee's statements and prompts further recall. The universal inquiry phase gives interviewers the opportunity to elicit additional information that they may have overlooked. The departure phase establishes the foundation for mutual recontacting by interviewees or interviewers. The final phase, the critique phase, can range from an informal review by the interviewer to a peer or supervisory evaluation. This phase involves assessments of the effectiveness of each of the previous phases of the interview. 3 notes